Fiat 126 FSM | Spotted
Engineered in Italy, made in Poland, loved all over
It's not often we feature two rear-engined Spotteds in a row. And, unbelievably, neither is a Porsche 911. Last time out the car hailed from France, in the form of an Alpine A110, and now it's Italy's turn, with this Fiat 126. Well, in essence at least, because this one was produced in Poland, under licence at the Fabryka Samochodow Ma?olitrazowych factory. I think from here on in that's going to get shortened to FSM, though.
It's a joy unearthing little gems like this in the classifieds. I certainly didn't know a huge amount of detail about the 126, that's for sure. Which meant a little researching and learning, and that's all part of the enjoyment of writing about cars - gaining those little snippets of understanding. Like, for example, that an Italian-built car would, of course, disintegrate before your very eyes the first time you washed it, while the Polish-built cars were considered more resilient. I suppose they had to be, because Poland can be damn cold, so among other things, they layered underseal over the outer sills before spraying paint on them. This was excellent at halting the external corrosion, but, sadly, did nothing to stop them rotting from the inside out. Oh well, best laid plans and all that...
Another titbit is that the 126 became known as Maluch in Poland, which means the little one, or little kid. And the 'little one' became so well loved by the Polish masses that eventually its nickname was officially stamped on back of the car from 1997. Of more than 4.5 million 126s made, 3.3 million came out of Poland and most of the parts are interchangeable with the Italian-made cars. Although apparently not the front wings. Sourcing new parts is easy because everything is still made, including many of the trim pieces, and at very little expense because, of course, the 126 is as rudimentary as a mangle.
There was a water-cooled version, but ignore that. It's called the 126 BIS and had a 704cc motor that was incredibly unreliable. Instead, you should stick with the twin-cylinder air-cooled models like this one, which from 1977 went from 594cc to 652cc. And that meant a whopping increase in power to 23hp at a 4,800rpm. Peak torque? That culminated in a heady 31lb ft at 3,500rpm. But so what. You can thrash the little 126 with impunity because there's nothing much to break or bother to service. We're talking just two plugs, a cup full of oil, no water pump, no coolant hoses and, from only the mid-80s onwards, modernity like electronic ignition and an alternator. Which meant at least no burnt-out points and a reliable charging source.
One of the common themes with everything you read about the 126 is its sense of back-to-basics motoring, character and fun. Okay, you'll struggle to outrun an electric wheelchair, but with little sound deadening, a thrumming twin behind you and a car so small you can wipe the rear screen from the driver's seat (that's a fact), you'll feel like you're whizzing along. This example is pure luxury - in 126 terms - with cloth door cards, cloth seats, rear-fog and reversing lights, hazard lights and a heated rear screen. It also has the later, rubber covered dashboard, rear seatbelts and a stereo - okay, maybe not a head unit, judging by the pictures, but stereo pod speakers on the rear shelf.
It's covered a mere 28,500 miles, looks immaculate, and even has a Haynes manual tucked away in the door pocket. I'd suggest making that part of any deal and you'll have zero reasons to fear driving this classic around and, I am quite sure, getting more than a few admiring glances along the way.
SPECIFICATION | FIAT 126P FSM
Engine: 652cc, air-cooled twin, naturally aspirated
Transmission: 4-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 23@4,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 31 @ 3,500rpm
CO2: N/A
MPG: Gotta be 50+
Recorded mileage: 28,500
Year registered: 1985
Price new: 69,000 Polish Zlotys
Yours for: £7,495
For one with more oomph, check this https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gob5g5fXAYi78P88y...
I would not want to be in an accident as a driver or passenger in that car today...
Great little thing, brimming with character. It's clearly not worth £8k, but for £800 it would be brilliant.
I personally think the price is not too alarming, there can be very few right hand drive cars in such great condition. A classic mini in similar condition would be similarly priced?
I would not want to be in an accident as a driver or passenger in that car today...
Favourite oddities included the paint came off on the sponge with every wash, the headlights may as well have been candle tea lights, it would drain batteries like crazy despite having zero electronics and in our model as a passenger it felt like you were flying along with the wind in your face at anything over 30mph because the glove box simply wasn't there, instead there was a letterbox sized opening straight into the front under bonnet area of the car
Oh and it leaked like a sieve.
That being said it had rubber sliding flaps over the rear engine vents which as kids we loved moving open and shut to let the heat out. Fond memories.
I seem to remember she was always breaking start cables as she pulled too hard on the lever between the seats.
I would not want to be in an accident as a driver or passenger in that car today...
My brother tried to time the 0 to 60 on the A47 Acle Straight in Norfolk. 7 miles, dead flat, dead straight and he failed.
On the other hand it was able to change direction like a little mouse and made an amusing growling noise. Near 60mpg wasn't bad either.
Lots of fun but even then I was wary of the consequences of a crash. We got jokes about it too but how could anybody take it seriously?
I would not want to be in an accident as a driver or passenger in that car today...
https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/smart/fortwo/7...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff